Jump to content

Draft:Siarhei Besarab

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Siarhei Besarab
Сяргей Бесараб
Born
Novogrudok, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityBelarusian
CitizenshipBelarusian
EducationBelarusian State University
Occupations
EmployerNational Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2010-2020)
Call signEU1AEY
Websitehttps://steanlab.github.io

Siarhei Besarab (romanized: Siarhiej Vasilevič Biesarab) is a Belarusian chemist[1][2], civil activist[3], and prominent science communicator[4] known for his contributions to popularizing science in the fields of radioactivity, nuclear safety, and environmental protection. As one of the few voices drawing[5][6] public attention to political repression within the Belarusian scientific and academic community, Besarab faced professional dismissal and a ban from public institutions following the 2020 Belarusian protests due to his political stance. He continued his advocacy through public science journalism, critically analyzing the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant’s safety systems and addressing the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus. His activism led to political persecution by the Belarusian authorities, with charges from the Belarusian KGB forcing him to flee to the European Union in June 2023, where he remains active in both his scientific and civic roles.

Early Life and Education

[edit]

Siarhei Besarab was born in 1984 in the Western Belarusian city Novogrudok, Grodno Region[7]. Besarab received his Bachelor's of Science from Department of Radiation Chemistry of the Faculty of Chemistry of the Belarusian State University. He earned his master's degree in chemistry at the University of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and obtained PhD in surface science at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus[3].

Career

[edit]

Scientific Research

[edit]

Since 2010, Besarab has worked as a research scientist in the Laboratory of Adsorbents and Adsorption Processes at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, focusing on inorganic porous materials, effective adsorbents, and new catalysts[8]. Holder of 12 patents[2], his research ranked[9] among the top 100 in Belarusian fundamental and applied sciences from 2011 to 2015 and earned[2] him two prizes in the Republican Scientific Research Competition (2009, 2011). In 2016, he won the Belarusian segment of the Skolkovo Startup Tour for a mercury fume purification device[10] and contributed to developing polymer hydrogels[11] and additive technologies in cardiac surgery as a scientific advisor at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Surgery. Additionally, he organized Belarus's first scientific hackathon, SciHackathon, in 2017[12][13].

Science Communication

[edit]
Logo of LAB-66 blog
Logo of LAB-66 blog

Siarhei Besarab has made significant contributions to science communication as a journalist and educator. Since 2019, he has managed LAB-66[14], a popular Telegram science blog with over 19,000[15] readers, focusing on chemistry, civil safety, and radiological protection. The blog's analytical articles have been widely reprinted in Belarusian and Ukrainian media, and its content has supported investigative journalism, such as that by the OSINT project Belarusian Hajun.

As a scientist actively involved in public policy discourse, Siarhei Besarab collaborates with several independent Belarusian investigative initiatives. Notably, he has contributed to the Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC), providing scientific analysis and expert commentary in investigations related to environmental violations, misuse of hazardous substances, and industrial activities linked to corruption or state repression. His work has supported efforts to expose alleged crimes and abuses associated with the Lukashenko regime[16].

Besarab collaborates with various media outlets, providing expert commentary on scientific and public safety issues[17]. Recognized as a leading scientific voice in Belarus, he is frequently invited to discuss these topics[18]. His outreach efforts include writing over 200 articles[19] on technology, winning the Best Technology Author of the Year (2021) and TechText-2022 competition[20], and producing audio essays on phytochemistry for children[21]. Besarab also champions alternative food sources, such as insect protein, further advancing science literacy[22].

Public activies and civil activism

[edit]

Siarhei Besarab has played a prominent role in advocating for civil rights and academic freedom in Belarus. In 2020, he issued a scientific rebuttal to accusations against civil activist Stsiapan Latypau, debunking claims of a plot to poison law enforcement with agricultural chemicals[23]. He also contributed to an appeal by Belarusian scientists condemning state violence following the contested presidential election, actions that led to his dismissal from the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry and a professional ban[24]. His inclusion in the list of repressed Belarusian scientists prompted the scientific community to publish The Scientists’ Open Letter Against Repressions, signed by over 800 academics[25].

In response to ongoing repression, Besarab co-founded the Belarusian Scientific Solidarity Fund[26] to support persecuted scholars. He further opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine by publishing an open letter on behalf of the Belarusian scientific community[27], despite backlash from the National Academy of Sciences[28]. As part of the Until All Are Free campaign[29], he became an advocate[30] for political prisoner Artsiom Bayarski, a chemistry student targeted for his involvement in post-election protests.

Besarab has consistently highlighted issues in Belarusian science, such as censorship, lack of academic freedom[31], and opaque funding practices. His data-driven initiatives include mapping the repression of Belarusian citizens[32] and scientists, producing analyses like the “map of Belarusian extremism”[33] and profiles of repressed academics[31]. Through his activism, Besarab remains a vocal proponent of transparency and reform in science policy and education[34][35][36].

Political persecution

[edit]

Besarab, widely recognized as a scientific journalist specializing in radioactivity, dosimetry, nuclear plant safety, and the environmental impact of nuclear waste[37], gained prominence among Russian-speaking readers for his critical analyses of radiation safety. His reputation as a technical expert became particularly notable after the launch of the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant, where he emerged as one of the leading public critics of the station's radiation safety systems[38][39][40][41][42].

In spring 2023, amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced plans to bring Russian tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus. Besarab responded by publishing detailed descriptions[43] of potential storage sites for these weapons on his blog and engaging with independent Belarusian media to discuss the associated risks. This activity placed him in direct conflict with Belarusian authorities, who subsequently labeled all content from his science blog as extremist material[44][45].

Facing mounting pressure, Besarab became the target of criminal charges for allegedly causing harm to the state[46][47]. The Belarusian KGB threatened him with imprisonment, prompting his decision to flee the country and seek political asylum within the European Union to ensure his safety[48]. In addition to legal persecution, Besarab faced an orchestrated smear campaign in state-run media, including attacks by propagandists from prominent outlets such as Belarus Today[49].

References

[edit]
  1. ^ MotolkoHelp. "Opinion. Siarhei Besarab, a research chemist, on the impact of reagents on bridge design". MotolkoHelp. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  2. ^ a b c "К Дню изобретателя и рационализатора" [By the Day of Inventors and Innovators]. Изобретатель (in Russian). 198 (6). 2016.
  3. ^ a b "«Каб я ведаў, што гэта дзяржтаямніца, то можа і не пісаў бы так хвацка». Хімік Сяргей Бесараб расказаў, як сумяшчае навуку і грамадзянскую пазіцыю" [Chemist Siarhei Besarab told how he combines science and civic activism]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  4. ^ "Бесараб: «Беларускім прадпрыемствам грошы вельмі патрэбныя, і ў цяперашніх варунках для іх «вайна — маці родная»" [Besarab: Belarusian enterprises need moneys very much, and in the current situation for them 'war is a mother-in-law']. gazetaby.com (in Belarusian). Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-28. Журналіст абмеркаваў з навукоўцам і самым вядомым беларускім навукова-тэхнічным блогерам Сяргеем Бесарабам перспектывы і сутнасць беларуска-расійскага супрацоўніцтва ў авіябудаўніцтве [The journalist discussed outlook for the future of Belarusian-Russian cooperation in aviation with Siarhei Besarab, a scientist and the most well-known Belarusian science and technology blogger]
  5. ^ Honest People (2025-03-20). "Сергей Бесараб: «Беларуской науке нужна свобода»" ['Without Freedom, There Is No Science': Belarusian Chemist Speaks Out]. honestby.substack.com. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  6. ^ Честные Люди (2025-03-19). НАН Беларусі: у пошуках сэнсу існавання. Retrieved 2025-05-15 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Melkazioraŭ, Mikita. Яго звольнілі з Акадэміі Навук: Лукашэнка, бомба 50 кілатон, чаму навука Беларусі ў срацы. Навуковец Сяргей Бесараб [He was fired from the Academy of Sciences. Scientist Siarhei Besarab tells about Lukashenka, a nuclear bomb of 50 kilotons and why the science of Belarus is destroyed] (Video) (in Belarusian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  8. ^ "List of publications. Siarhei Besarab". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  9. ^ Kilʹchevskiĭ, A. V.; Natsyi︠a︡nalʹnai︠a︡ akadėmii︠a︡ navuk Belarusi, eds. (2016). Katalog top-100 rezulʹtatov fundamentalʹnykh i prikladnykh issledovaniĭ NAN Belarusi [Catalog of TOP-100 Results of Fundamental and Applied Research of NAS of Belarus for 2011-2015] (in Russian). Minsk: Belnavuka. ISBN 978-985-08-2009-9.
  10. ^ "Сколково продвигает идеи молодых" [Skolkovo promotes the ideas of the young scientists]. Навука (in Russian). 2587 (16): 2. 2016.
  11. ^ "Наука в ударе" [Science is on fire]. www.sb.by (in Russian). СБ-Беларусь. 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  12. ^ "Научный хакатон в Минске: домашний наркотест, синтез генов и алгоритм для перебора картофеля" [Science hackathon in Minsk: home drug test, gene synthesis and algorithm for potato screening]. dev.by (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  13. ^ "Амерыканскія навукоўцы прыдумалі, як візуальна сачыць за людзьмі па WiFi замест камер. Аказваецца, беларусы прэзентавалі падобны метад 6 год таму" [American scientists have figured out how to visually follow people via WiFi instead of cameras. It turns out that Belarusians presented a similar method 6 years ago]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  14. ^ "Научно-Технический·LAB-66·Лабораторный журнал беларуского химика" [Scientific and Tech - LAB-66 - Laboratory Journal of Belarusian Chemist]. Telegram (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  15. ^ "Telegram-канал "Научно-Технический·LAB-66·Лабораторный журнал беларуского химика" — @lab66 — TGStat" [Statistics for Telegram-channel "Scientific and Tech - LAB-66 - Laboratory Journal of Belarusian Chemist]. TGStat.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  16. ^ "Соль «Беларуськалия» переименовали и продают ЕС в обход санкций" [Sanctions Evaded: Belarusian Potash Reaches Europe Under New Names]. investigatebel.org (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  17. ^ "«Мы назіраем разгортванне ядравага рэнесансу». Пра будучыню АЭС разважае навуковец Сяргей Бесараб" ['We are witnessing the unfolding of a nuclear renaissance'. Siarhei Besarab, a Belarusian scientist, speaks about the future of the nuclear power plant.]. belsat.eu (in Belarusian). Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  18. ^ Besarab, Siarhei. "Сергей Бесараб. Комментарии в СМИ" [Full list of comments by Siarhei Besarab in the media]. steanlab.github.io (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  19. ^ Besarab, Siarhei. "Сергей Бесараб. Авторские публикации" [List of author's publications by Siarhei Besarab]. steanlab.github.io (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  20. ^ "Технотекст: все номинанты, победители и немного тайны" [Techtext: all the nominees, winners and a bit of mystery]. Хабр (in Russian). 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  21. ^ "Нататкі фітахіміка — Вікікрыніцы" [Phytochemist's Notes]. be.wikisource.org (in Belarusian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  22. ^ "Ці каштавалі мяса саранчы? А яно ўжо прадаецца ў Польшчы. Знайшлі беларуса — фаната такой ежы" [Have you tasted locust meat? It's already on sale in Poland. We found a Belarusian who's a fan of this food.]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  23. ^ Штейн, Евгения (2020-09-21). "Удобрение, «Белизна» и средство от кротов. Ученый-химик раскритиковал историю об «отравителе» с «площади Перемен»" [A chemical scientist criticized the story about the "poisoner" from Square of Changes]. Onlíner (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  24. ^ "Как Лукашенко репрессировал беларусских ученых, выступивших за новые выборы" [How Lukashenko repressed Belarusian scientists who spoke in favor of new elections]. Наш дом (in Russian). 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  25. ^ "Открытое письмо учёных против репрессий" [The Scientists’ Open Letter Against Repressions]. stoprepression.github.io (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  26. ^ "Появился фонд солидарности для учёных, которые потеряли работу" [A solidarity fund for scientists who have lost their jobs has emerged]. dev.by (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  27. ^ "Национальная академия наук Беларуси в LinkedIn: Обращение белорусской научной общественности" [National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on LinkedIn: Appeal of the Belarusian Scientific Community]. ru.linkedin.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  28. ^ "НАН опровергла фейк относительно позиции белорусских ученых" [NAS refuted a fake about the position of Belarusian scientists]. Белорусское телеграфное агентство. 2022-06-10. Archived from the original on 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  29. ^ "Siarhei Besarab: "It is necessary to convey to the world community those terrible crimes"". Фонд "СТРАНА ДЛЯ ЖИЗНИ". Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  30. ^ "Опекуны политзаключенных. Сергей Бесараб" [Guardians of Belarusian political prisoners. Siarhei Besarab]. dissidentby.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  31. ^ a b "Вядомы хімік склаў партрэт рэпрэсаванага навукоўца. Некаторыя высновы нечаканыя" [A well-known chemist has compiled a portrait of a repressed scientist. Some of the conclusions are unexpected]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  32. ^ "36-летний минчанин Александр. Белорусский ученый составил портрет среднестатистического «экстремиста» — вот он какой" [A Belarusian scientist has compiled a portrait of an average "extremist" - here he is]. Зеркало (in Russian). 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  33. ^ "Where do most "extremists" live in Belarus?" [Where are the most "extremists" in Belarus?]. Новы Час (in Belarusian). 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  34. ^ "«Мае знаёмыя робяць у Акадэміі разлікі для расійскіх ракет». Што адбываецца з беларускай навукай" [What happens to Belarusian science during the war in Ukraine]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  35. ^ "Навуковец патлумачыў феномен рэжыму і ацаніў страты беларускай навукі за час кіравання Лукашэнкі" [The scientist explained the phenomenon of the regime and estimated the losses of Belarusian science during Lukashenko's rule]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  36. ^ "В Канаде рассказали о прорывной разработке, которую в Беларуси зарубили много лет назад. Как такое происходит, объяснил автор проекта" [Canada told about a breakthrough development, which was killed in Belarus many years ago. The author of the project explained how this happens]. Зеркало (in Russian). 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  37. ^ "Сергей Бесараб. Тематические статьи: Радиация" [Siarhei Besarab's Publication List. Topic: Radiation]. steanlab.github.io. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  38. ^ "Хімік Сяргей Бесараб патлумачыў, што не так з БелАЭС і якая перадавая тэхналогія выкарыстоўваецца Украінай у вайне" [Chemist Siarhei Besarab explained what's wrong with Astravets Nuclear Power Plant]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  39. ^ "Сяргей Бесараб: БелАЭС – гэта кабальная сувязь Беларусі з Расеяй на 50 год наперад - Беларускае Радыё Рацыя" [The Astravets Nuclear Power Plant is like a tight-knit tie between Belarus and Russia for the next 50 years]. 2023-04-19. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  40. ^ "«Это худшая зависимость!» Беларусь подсела на российскую урановую иглу" ['This is the worst dependency!' Belarus is hooked on the Russian uranium needle]. belsat.eu (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  41. ^ "Будучыня БелАЭС: выкарыстанне для патрэб Расеі і запужванне для астатняга свету? - БЕЛАРУСКАЕ РАДЫЁ РАЦЫЯ" [Is the future of the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant all about serving Russia's needs and scaring the rest of the world?]. 2023-05-22. Archived from the original on 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  42. ^ "«БелАЭС ужо прывяла да апраменьвання людзей». Эксперты – пра радыяцыйнае забруджванне ў Беларусі" [The Astravets Nuclear Power Plant has already caused people to get radiation exposure. Experts are worried about radioactive pollution in Belarus.]. belsat.eu (in Belarusian). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  43. ^ "Дзе размесцяць расійскую ядзерную зброю, выбух якой можа знішчыць цэлы горад?" [Where will they stash the Russian nukes in Belarus that could wipe out a whole city?]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  44. ^ "День "экстремистских" формирований и материалов: хроника преследования 17 мая" [Day of "extremist" formations and materials: chronicling political persecution on May 17]. spring96.org (in Russian). 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  45. ^ Constanta, Human (2023-07-18). "Обзор борьбы с «экстремизмом» в Беларуси за апрель-июнь 2023" [Overview of Combating "Extremism" in Belarus (April-June 2023)]. Human Constanta (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23. [In his papers, chemist Siarhei Besarab mostly steered clear of politics, but he did discuss the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant and spoke to independent media, which got him in trouble.]
  46. ^ "Набыў у Менску радыяактыўныя пацеркі. Хімік расказвае, як засцерагчыся ад выпраменьвання дома" [A chemist explains how to keep yourself safe from radiation at home]. Зелёный портал (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-30. [Siarhei Besarab, a radiation chemist, scientific blogger, and former Academy of Sciences employee, now lives in the European Union. He's facing charges from Lukashenko's authorities that could lead to 25 years in prison]
  47. ^ ""Калі б за справу ўзялася ваенная контрвыведка, мяне б, хутчэй за ўсё, знайшлі. Таму я хутка з'ехаў з Беларусі"" [Siarhei Besarab: if the military counterintelligence had taken up the case, I would have most likely been found out. That's why I left Belarus in a hurry]. Зелёный портал (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  48. ^ "Беларускі навуковец, якому давялося ўцячы з Беларусі тайнымі сцежкамі, напісаў «кароткі дапаможнік па экстраннай эвакуацыі»" [A Belarusian scientist who had to flee Belarus by secret paths has written a "brief manual on emergency evacuation"]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  49. ^ Муковозчик, Андрей (2023-08-28). "Путаные мысли приводят к путаной жизни" [Confused thoughts lead to a confused life]. www.sb.by (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-23.

References

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Siarhei_Besarab&oldid=1290670062"